Mobile robots
Mobile robotics can be a real game changer in many projects. Mobile robots are powerful tools, which autonomy can take over from humans strenuous or dangerous tasks.
What is an autonomous mobile robot?
An autonomous mobile robot is a robot that can move around in an open or closed space. It does not remain stationary in one position. The autonomous mobile robot can map its environment and navigate on its own, without being controlled by an operator.
Autonomous mobile robots do not need any external relays to operate (such as beacons). Instead, they use SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) technology, which enables them to build a map of their environment in real time, and do some self-localization. If needed, autonomous mobile robots can also be remotely operated.
Usually, an autonomous mobile robot is made up of:
- A chassis (with motors and controller)
- An embedded computer
- A battery
- Sensors (at least a LiDAR)
- Actuators
The sensors and actuators will change depending on the tasks the robot has to perform.
Types of sensors:
- Thermal sensor
- Panoramic camera
- Gas sensor
- Motion sensor
- Microphone
- Etc
Type of actuators:
- Robotic arm
- Screen
- Speakers
- Drone
- Etc
Mobile robots: missions and applications
In which situations can mobile robotics be a real advantage? We won't list the many tasks a robot can take over from humans, there are too many. We will list the one we are familiar with at Génération Robots.
Missions where a robot can be essential, or mandatory:
- Nuclear dismantling
- Space exploration (rovers, sample collection, etc)
- Heavy equipment transport (construction sites, rescue missions, scientific missions, etc.)
- Transport of mail, medication, light equipment, within a single building, a complex or a district
- Robotised cowshed cleaning
- Surveillance and preventive maintenance of sensitive sites (SEVESO sites, airports, oil & gas)
- Etc
How to choose the right mobile robot for your project?
The environment and the terrain are both major considerations, as they cannot be easily changed.
Depending on the environment and the terrain on which the robot will drive, as well as its missions, the locomotion will be different:
- Mecanum wheels ➡ allows lateral movements, suitable for warehouses and indoor navigation (Clearpath Robotics' Dingo robot type)
- All-terrain wheels ➡ for outdoor navigation, suitable for exploration missions, agriculture, etc (RR100 robot type from Generation Robots)
- Tracked ➡ outdoor navigation, on uneven terrain (potholes, small ditches, rocks, steps, etc) (Bunker Pro robot type)
- 4 legs ➡ allows robots to move on stairs or rocks (Spot robot type)
You will also need to consider the following features:
- The payload (does the robot need to carry heavy equipment?)
- Autonomy (an important factor in surveillance and security missions)
- Agility (speed and turning radius)
- The budget allocated to the project
Other factors, such as the possibility to quickly add extra addons, can also be important. Agilex mobile robots are equipped with rails that allow for quick customization.
Finally, ROS/ROS 2 compatibility is often a major factor in the choice of a mobile base, especially for research and R&D centers. All our mobile robots are ROS compatible.
Both robust and compact, the Boxer Mobile Robot is an indoor platform designed for developing robotic solutions and technologies. 100% ROS, it offers a wide range of possibilities for researchers and designers.
The Warthog ROS mobile robot is an amphibious unmanned ground vehicle of impressive dimensions and with a corresponding payload capacity. Not only that, but it moves quickly too!
The Ridgeback robot is an omnidirectional indoor robotic platform capable of moving precisely high loads in a constrained environment. The robot is fully integrated, it is supplied with front and rear laser rangefinders and provides an inertial unit. The Ridgeback robot offers native integration with ROS and Gazebo.
Interested in meeting a real mobile robot, both weatherproof and all-terrain, that’s as fast on a dirt road as on the lino in your kitchen? Check out the Jackal Unmanned Ground Vehicle, a robust, rapid, compact and what’s more extremely flexible robotised platform!
The TurtleBot 4's mobile robot is built on top of the iRobot® Create® 3 educational robot that provides an IMU, optical ground tracking sensor, and wheel encoders for precise positioning and location. TB4 comes in two models: TurtleBot 4 Standard and TurtleBot 4 Lite
The Ranger 4WS4WD Robot features a four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering configuration, allowing it to easily traverse rugged terrain and uneven surfaces.
Spot Enterprise is the “corporate” version of the quadruped robot created by Boston Dynamics. It’s designed not only for research and teaching but also for developing industrial and service robotics applications, and will quickly become your faithful corporate companion, always ready to work!
The Shadow Runner RR100 mobile robot is a ROS-compatible outdoor mobile platform dedicated to research and higher education. Designed and manufactured in Bordeaux by our Génération Robots engineers, the Shadow Runner is an off-road and weather-resistant robot. Its great strength? It’s equipped with high-performance sensors in addition to being ROS compatible.
The RR100 is the education and research version of the GR100, a professional model with embedded localisation and navigation software designed by our own engineers.
InterbotiX has now released its very latest version of the mobile and customisable PhantomX robot. This MK-IV model comes pre-assembled and offers new performance features, boosted by the latest Dynamixel servos.
This Dingo robotic platform was designed by Clearpath for indoor education and research applications. It comes in two versions: differential drive or omnidirectional drive.
In the family of fast and agile robots, Scout Mini from AgileX is a true champion. It is compact, handy, all-terrain and lightweight. Armed with its Mecanum wheels, it becomes a real competition beast!
Researchers looking for high payload and a powerful drive torque have been seduced by the all-terrain Husky A200 unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). If like them, you want to go further in your research and prototype rapidly, look no further than the Husky mobile base.
The TurtleBot 4's mobile robot is built on top of the iRobot® Create® 3 educational robot that provides an IMU, optical ground tracking sensor, and wheel encoders for precise positioning and location.
The AgileX Ranger Mini 2.0 is a mobile robot with an omni-directional drive-by-wire chassis and multiple movement options. It can handle a wide variety of indoor and outdoor tasks.
TThe Spot robotic arm is one of the essential accessories to make your mobile robot even more skilled and autonomous.
The agile, perceptive and highly observant SMART robot is an intelligent mobile platform and an expert in navigating hostile environments. It avoids all obstacles while mapping its environment in real time.
This 100% ROS four-wheel drive mobile base is an outdoor pro. Use this durable Rover to carry heavy loads on any terrain.
The Scout Mini autonomous mobile base is fast, agile, compact and ROS-compatible. It opens the way for AgileX platforms, a new generation of high-performance UGVs. A robot that can be adapted to many missions as long as you roll up your hacker sleeves.
Make sure you have an extra Leo Rover battery in case you need a back-up power supply for your mobile robot!
The AgileX Bunker Mini 2.0 tracked mobile robot is a small UGV that performs well on all terrains.
Aliengo is a real-time exploration, navigation and mapping robot designed by Unitree Robotics. While ideal for professional and industrial environments, it’s also an excellent tool for research and teaching.